Abstract
We explore the design of atom-optic components, such as mirrors, to manipulate ultracold atoms. We show that it is possible to enhance significantly quantum effects by engineering sharp features in the interaction potential between atoms and the component. We illustrate the concept by calculating the reflection probability for ultracold sodium atoms incident on a bichromatic evanescent-wave atomic mirror created by lasers red and blue detuned from resonance with intensities and detunings chosen to enhance quantum reflection of a purely attractive potential. With realistic parameters for sodium atoms incident on glass at 10 cm/s, up to 30% reflection can be obtained.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 4 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Physical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics |
| Volume | 67 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Jan 2003 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics